INTERNATIONAL NEWS
1. National Food Security Plan for 2050:
Why in news?
Israel launches $1.4B National Food Security Plan for 2050 amid growing threats
Aim of this initiative by Israel:
- The strategy aims to boost local production, reduce food waste, and diversify supply chains through tech-driven solutions.
- Officials warn that without action, shortages and instability of crop production could worsen by 2050.
- The plan also emphasizes healthier diets and stronger resilience against global disruptions.
NATIONAL NEWS
2. World’s first energy transmission garden:
Why in news?
World’s first energy transmission garden inaugurated in Andhra Pradesh
About the aim of inaugurating this First energy Transmission Garden:
- The Governor of Telangana, Jishnu Dev Verma, inaugurated Babuji Vanam, the world’s first energy transmission garden in Hyderabad.
- The thematic garden is the first of its kind in the world, featuring forty species of trees that will absorb and radiate Pranahuti, the yogic transmission that nourishes the soul.
- The garden is meticulously designed to ensure that every drop of water is harvested.
- The gravel pathways serve as acupressure pathways.
- The trees in the garden have medicinal value as well and include Neem, Red Sandalwood, Tulsi, and Tropical Almond.
- The biodiversity patch attracts a variety of fauna and birds.
3. Padma Shri awardee Subbanna Ayyappan:
Why in news?
Subbanna Ayyappan. Padma Shri awardee and former ICAR chief, found dead in Cauvery river
About his contributions to India:
- Subbanna Ayyappan was a former Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.
- A well-known scientist, Ayyappan was renowned for his contributions to India’s Blue Revolution and was the first non-crop scientist to head ICAR.
- In 2022, the then President Ram Nath Kovind presented Padma Shri to Dr Subbanna Ayyappan for Science and Engineering
GOVERNMENT APPOINTMENTS
4. New UPSC Chairperson:
why in news?
Former Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar appointed new UPSC Chairperson
About the importance of the appointment:
- Ajay Kumar has succeeded Preeti Sudan, whose tenure as the UPSC chairperson ended on April 29, 2025. She was appointed on August 1, 2025.
- Mr. Ajay is a retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from Kerala cadre from the 1985 batch.
- The tenure of Dr. Ajay Kumar, as Chairman, UPSC, will commence from the date he enters upon the office of Chairman, UPSC.
- The term of his appointment will be regulated in accordance with the provisions of Article 316(2) of the Constitution of India.
SCIENCE & TECH NEWS
5. First ‘Pangenome’ Rice variety:
Why in news?
Scientists create first ‘pangenome’ of Asian rice
Aim and success on producing this new Rice Variety:
- Scientists have assembled a first of its kind ‘pangenome’, a kind of reference genome, by stitching together key parts of genomes from 144 varieties of wild and cultivated varieties of rice from Asia.
- Researchers-mostly from the Chinese Academy of Sciences have assembled the pangenome of Asian cultivated rice (Oryza sativa L.).
- This research provides a comprehensive genetic map that could revolutionize the way rice is bred paving the way for climate-resilient, high-yield, and disease-tolerant rice cultivars.
DEFENCE NEWS
6. Indian Army launches ‘Operation Keller’:
why in news?
Indian Army launches ‘Operation Keller’ in J&K
Aim of this Operation Keller:
- On May 13, 2025, the Indian Army launched high-intensity counter-terror ‘Operation Keller’ in the dense forests of Keller in Shopian, South Kashmir.
- The mission was initiated following credible intelligence reports about heavily armed militants hiding in the region.